Food cooking and eating – stories and ideas from a passionate foodie

Posts tagged ‘amazon link’

One of the side effects from doing this had never entered my mind. What happens now when you go to friends who have bought the book, and you are going to a dinner party at their house? Now, I had thought of the obvious one – that we may get less invites because people might be intimidated. Once they have read the book, they realise that is not the case – it really is a cook book to work from scratch if you want to, and not a chef style complication to be seen. It is also designed to make you laugh at the same time. One (woman) purchaser said “It reads like a cookery version of Top gear!”. Fine with me!

But there is another side effect. Part of the email invite to Pete and Pam’s was “And Pete’s going to do one of your recipes”. Gee whiz – suddenly I feel the pressure! What if it doesn’t work for him? What if it tastes crap? What if he ruined the kitchen and I am to blame?

When we arrived, I decided the only sensible option was to drink copiously. Pam had done some brilliant grilled steaks (she is a fine cook, and her flapjacks are legendary! Many a young football friend of their son, Tom, still remember them as a full time treat from 10 years before!). Mixed veg, including asparagus, and lovely small potatoes, in their skins, finished off in hot oil in the oven,

So Pete decides to take the piss. And said -“You know you said cheating good in your book – wel here it is!” Tinned apricot, with a glace cherry on top, and condensed milk. Silence. Then huge guffaws of laughter. (Those who know Pete Curtis will know that this is the hugest of guffaws).

What he actually made was a Lemon Syllabub. And it was pretty damn good. Buy the book if you want the recipe! There were a few disasters on the way. Pete had followed instructions about covering the mixing bowl with a kitchen towel, but had used the mixer on fast and at an angle. Pam followed the swearing, and saw Pete’s face completely covered in the mixture (and a lot of the kitchen was covered too). So, out for more double cream, and finally success.

Cheese was great. The fourth bottle probably a mistake. Drinking and chatting with Jo-Jo, daughter who arrived home from college at 9, was great fun too.

And here’s the dish: Splendid! Well done Pete – and thanks to you both. Can men Cook? Certainly!